Caroline Voaden MP: written questions
189 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Special Educational Needs: Developmental Language DisorderDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129629More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether children with Developmental Language Disorder were considered when writing the policy paper entitled SEND reform: putting children and young people first.
Answer: The department’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms are ensuring every child gets the right support at the right time. This includes all of those with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), including Developmental Language...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordDriverless Vehicles: Criminal LiabilityDepartment for TransportTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129340More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the criminal liability framework applicable in cases where (a) autonomous and (b) connected vehicles cause (i) death and (ii) serious injury.
Answer: With regard to autonomous vehicles, the Department has undertaken significant work to establish a revised liability framework, as enacted by the Automated Vehicles Act 2024. This Act follows the recommendations of the Law Commissions in 2024 that new lega...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFreight: FuelsDepartment for TransportTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127747More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support the haulage industry with increases in fuel prices.
Answer: The Department for Transport recognises growing concerns around rising fuel and transport costs caused by the conflict in the Middle East. The Department fully recognises the need to maintain the continuity of critical supply chains and is actively monito...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSchools: FoodDepartment for EducationTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 908736More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the level of funding required to improve school food standards.
Answer: We are consulting on proposed updates to the School Food Standards in England. Healthier food does not have to mean higher cost. We tested proposals to check affordability and are working closely with the sector.
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordOutdoor Education: ApprenticesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126445More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of defunding the Level 5 Outdoor Learning Specialist Apprenticeship on the outdoor education sector.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 13 April 2026 to Question UIN 123109.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEmployment Schemes: Young PeopleDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126403More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent progress his Department has made on the national roll-out of the Youth Jobs Guarantee.
Answer: The Department recently announced that, for national rollout, eligibility for the Jobs Guarantee will be expanded to include 22-24-year-olds, meaning all eligible 18-24-year-olds across Great Britain will benefit from a fully funded six month guaranteed p...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordLifeboatsDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126329More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help support small independent lifeboat organisations.
Answer: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) chairs UK Search and Rescue (UKSAR) on behalf of the Department for Transport. UKSAR supports national volunteer search and rescue groups, including independent lifeboat organisations, on a wide range of issues. Th...
Answered 15 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government Finance: Flood ControlMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126328More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of removing the formula for flood defence and coastal protection in the Local Government Finance Settlement on local authoriti
Answer: As set out in the government’s response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0, the Foundation Formula is used to assess relative demand for flood defence and coastal protection, as the government does not consider having a bespoke formula to be proportionate. Wh...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government FinanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126327More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what consideration he has made of the potential merits of extending the Adjustment Support Grant in 2027/28.
Answer: On 9 February, the government published the first multi-year Local Government Finance Settlement in a decade. Following consultation feedback, the final Settlement included an update to how pooling gains are estimated for transitional arrangements. This w...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCountryside Stewardship SchemeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125929More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is taking steps to ensure the timely completion of payments for Countryside Stewardship agreements.
Answer: The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) understands the importance of cashflow for farmers and rural businesses. For the 2025 scheme year they have once again paid a higher proportion of Countryside Stewardship payments earlier in the payment window. The RPA has ...
Answered 15 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFertilisers: ImportsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119079More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proportion of fertiliser that is imported on food security.
Answer: The fertiliser market is a global one, and the market price in the UK is strongly influenced by international prices for fertiliser and by the value of the pound. We are aware of the current price increase for fertiliser due to the conflict in the Gulf. W...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordTaxation: International CooperationTreasuryTabled 4 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 908196More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of supporting the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.
Answer: The UK is committed to ensuring inclusive and effective international tax cooperation, and has been actively engaging in negotiations at the UN over a future Framework Convention. The UK believes a UN Tax Framework Convention has the potential to further ...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordParents: Advisory ServicesDepartment for EducationTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114678More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of introducing a national rollout of parenting programmes, such as Triple P and Incredible Years, on levels of stigma associated with seeking parenting sup
Answer: The government is committed to expanding access to high-quality, evidence‑based parenting and home learning support as part of the Best Start in Life Strategy, delivered through the national rollout of Best Start Family Hubs.Local authorities are expected...
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordParents: Advisory ServicesDepartment for EducationTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114677More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of using parenting programmes such as that implemented in Australia to support parents in managing their children’s screen time.
Answer: The department is monitoring policies put in place in other countries, including Australia, and we are working with counterparts there to share learnings and best practice. Ministers at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will also be vi...
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordExtracurricular ActivitiesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114673More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department plans to take with local authorities to (a) join up local enrichment and youth offers and (b) support the implementation of the Enrichment Expansion Programme.
Answer: As part of the government’s ambition to halve the participation gap, DCMS, in partnership with DfE,will invest £22.5 million through the Enrichment Expansion Programme (EEP). This funding will support up to 400 schools provide youth-voice led, tailored, a...
Answered 26 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordExtracurricular Activities: Government AssistanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114672More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, a) in what way her Department plans to measure the impact of the Enrichment Expansion Programme, b) what indicators of success her Department will use, and c) what support the 400 selected school
Answer: As part of the government’s ambition to halve the participation gap, DCMS, in partnership with DfE,will invest £22.5 million through the Enrichment Expansion Programme (EEP). This funding will support up to 400 schools provide youth-voice led, tailored, a...
Answered 26 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordExtracurricular Activities: Government AssistanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114671More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Enrichment Expansion Programme; and how will selected schools be supported to continue their enrichment offer onc
Answer: As part of the government’s ambition to halve the participation gap, DCMS, in partnership with DfE,will invest £22.5 million through the Enrichment Expansion Programme (EEP). This funding will support up to 400 schools provide youth-voice led, tailored, a...
Answered 26 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordProject Gigabit: Rural AreasDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110213More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to improve communication with rural communities about Project Gigabit rollout timelines.
Answer: Suppliers are responsible for creating a network design plan and delivery schedule for their Project Gigabit contracts. Therefore, updates on delivery timescales for specific areas are often provided by suppliers through their own websites and fibre check...
Answered 9 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordProject Gigabit: South DevonDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110212More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when the Project Gigabit voucher scheme will reopen to communities in South Devon constituency.
Answer: Building Digital UK (BDUK) engaged suppliers at the end of 2025 on the potential for further Project Gigabit delivery, and several voucher suppliers expressed interest in delivering more voucher projects in South Devon. BDUK will make premises available t...
Answered 9 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: MetersDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 2 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110211More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that households in areas with poor mobile signal are not excluded from smart meters.
Answer: The Data Communications Company (DCC) - the licensed body that is responsible for the provision of communication and data services for smart metering in GB - is obligated under the conditions of its licence to provide smart meter network coverage to at le...
Answered 9 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordWater Restoration FundDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104960More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Water Restoration Fund will open for new applications in 2026.
Answer: The Water Restoration Fund, funded by water company fines and penalties from April 2022 until October 2023, is now delivering on-the-ground improvements for water quality through 51 projects, directly benefitting the communities and the environment which ...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEmpty PropertyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104908More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the reasons for trends in the number of long-term empty homes.
Answer: There are numerous reasons that homes are left empty, including probate and homes falling into disrepair. The government wants to see more empty homes brought back into use across the country. Local authorities have strong powers and incentives to tackle ...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFisheriesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104265More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support the fishing industry following recent changes to the EU regulations for UK vessels operating in EU waters.
Answer: The changes to the EU Control Regulation apply to all vessels fishing in EU waters including those of EU member states and the UK. All UK vessels licensed to fish in EU waters have been notified of the impending changes and further detail and guidance on ...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAngling: White FishDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101200More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support recreational angling operators in the light of recent changes to pollack catch limits.
Answer: The pollack stock remains vulnerable and it is important we take steps to support its recovery. The recreational sector has shown leadership through the voluntary Pollack Pact, which we are building on by mandating a three-fish daily bag limit. This means...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFishing Vessels: WrecksDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101137More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has had with the fishing industry in the South West on the sinking of a vessel off the coast of South Devon on 11 October 2025.
Answer: The MCA did not liaise with the fishing industry in the South West during the operation pertaining to the sinking of a vessel off the coast of South Devon. The incident is currently subject to a debriefing process wherein upon completion there will be eng...
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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